Yeah, SD is really the destination for pheasants; that doesn't automatically eliminate doing some research for the where and how.
But if you can travel from the SE, maybe you can fund a guide or access to land for a day or three. I'd suggest researching the Chamberlain, Platte, or Pickstown areas.
Yep,you have to consider that my total cost of $1200 included 1/3 of a 44 hour road trip there and back at an average of about $2.50 a gallon in a crew cab truck. It included absolutely everything,ammo,hotels,even tips for the guides. Not too bad really when starting from Alabama.